Job 38:3
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Original Language Analysis
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 6
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
כְגֶ֣בֶר
like a man
H1397
כְגֶ֣בֶר
like a man
Strong's:
H1397
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
Cross References
Job 40:7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.Jeremiah 1:17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.Exodus 12:11And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.1 Peter 1:13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;1 Kings 18:46And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern legal proceedings featured direct examination. God reverses roles - Job wanted to question God, now God questions Job.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'gird up your loins' when confronting mystery?
- How does God's examination of you differ from your examination of God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God commands: 'Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.' This summons Job to stand before divine interrogation. God doesn't answer Job's questions but poses counter-questions, shifting from human complaint to divine examination.